Rio Ferdinand: Secrets From Inside Man Utd Dressing Room

This is Rio Ferdinand as you’ve never heard him before, openly sharing his secrets to his High Performance life. From an estate in Peckham, to the World Cup. From winning the Champions League to struggling at QPR. What was it really like in the Manchester United dressing room? Was he happy? What has personal tragedy taught him about being a better person?
Winning cultures, elite mindsets, and the tricks you can employ to enjoy success and taste happiness in your own life...whatever comes your way.
Rio Gavin Ferdinand OBE (born 7 November 1978) is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre-back, and is now a television pundit for BT Sport. He played 81 times for the England national team between 1997 and 2011, and was a member of three FIFA World Cup squads.[4] He is one of the most decorated English footballers of all time and regarded by many as one of England's greatest ever players.
Ferdinand began his football career playing for various youth teams, finally settling at West Ham United where he progressed through the youth ranks and made his professional Premier League debut in 1996. He became a fan favourite, winning the Hammer of the Year award the following season. He earned his first senior international cap in a match against Cameroon in 1997, setting a record as the youngest defender to play for England at the time. His achievements and footballing potential attracted Leeds United and he transferred to the club for a record-breaking fee of £18 million. He spent two seasons at the club, becoming the team captain in 2001, before he joined Manchester United in July 2002 for around £30 million, breaking the transfer fee record once more.
At Manchester United, he won the Premier League, his first major club honour, in a successful first season at the club. In September 2003, he missed a drugs test and was banned from football for eight months from January until September 2004, causing him to miss half a Premier League season, Manchester United's FA Cup triumph, and the Euro 2004 international competition. Upon his return, he established himself in the Manchester United first team and received plaudits for his performances, featuring in the PFA Team of the Year four times in five years. More club success followed with another Premier League win in the 2006-07 season and a Premier League and UEFA Champions League double the following year. His career at United, in which he won six Premier League titles and 14 trophies, ended when his contract expired in 2014, and he subsequently joined Queens Park Rangers where he played for just one season before being released from the club as a result of their relegation from the Premier League. He announced his retirement from professional football on 30 May 2015.
In September 2017, Ferdinand announced his intention to become a professional boxer, partly to help him cope with the death of his wife. His brother, Anton, also a centre-back, last played for St Mirren. Former England international striker Les Ferdinand and former Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Kane Ferdinand are his cousins.
This episode was recorded in Rio's restaurant Rosso in Manchester.
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[@HighPerformancePodcast]

Thank you to Rio for inviting us to his restaurant. We've never heard him talk so candidly about this career and what he learnt from it. What was your favourite part?

[@amandeepbansal5681]

When he mentions that he had to detach himself from certain individuals who didn't fit his ambitions.

[@n9cco]

!»79@&9krkr&&&&9&&&@&999&&&&@

[@adambradley4667]

Ok

[@adambradley4667]

The hu

[@kapeys15]

Brilliant interview. His mentality and how it separates the good from the elite is fascinating.

[@vishnugovindan8550]

Please get Roy Keane on this podcast. I would pay for that!

[@Jgiuly999]

Definitely!

[@MrThedonhead]

My numbers are 43-32-21 and acc is 65742368 Paddy Ooo doodledonalayloddlemaguinesscormavknedmqckelly - west cork. Transfer of £20 a and as Jesus himself right next to me as my witness I will old Roy himself on here I tell you no lies I’ve been telling the truth since I was a baby and on my mother’s life I will do ya driveway for free now would I lie to you

[@europeanroyalty4778]

@@MrThedonhead dickhead

[@dundeedolphin]

I would probably enjoy it too. But i think I probably know exactly what he would say.

[@thomasjones2415]

Aye Me 2

[@cantona7449]

I’ve been to Rosso a few times - one time I was in there with my mum and we saw Rio. It was about 4/5pm in the afternoon and Rio was commentating on BT Sport that evening for a City match in CL. Even though he must have been on a time limit, I asked him for his autograph on his way out. He could have told me to do one, ignored me, been stressed, but no - he was super cool and had a picture with me. I was just a little fan boy that day but respect to Rio for spending those few minutes with me.

[@TheDamsull]

Who gives a fuck

[@mrkipling2201]

Nice one. I’m glad he did that for you. It doesn’t cost anything to be nice and to make other people feel good. 👍👍

[@coachgeraldlami]

The mindset of Rio is ELITE!

[@mbongeningwenya6248]

The one statement that resonated with me was when rio talked about how people in our generation constantly want to play the victim card because its the easy way out. The hard part is to take ownership over the wrongs you've done and find a way to learn from them.

[@gold6813]

As an 'older' person. I can say the victim card is played by 40s - 80+ years old people too. Wanting everyone handed on a plate.

[@i-donp-i5806]

Lol yeah.. but take a people out of their natural habitat and put them in the cold and tell them not to moan. That’s real ownership.

[@jackcarro09]

Rio : take responsibility for yourself Drug testers: hold my beer

[@Mad_Intalect]

@@jackcarro09 LMAO...truth!

[@MiguelBaptista1981]

@@gold6813 True. But the environment before social media was such that, people who wanted to make it to the top level, were equipped with the mental ability, patience, and ability to deal with pressure, that made them keep up at that level. Those that weren't didn't make it. We are removing that nowadays, so we're already seeing this pampered mentaiity in sports, corporations, even science institutions, and not only the results suffer, but also longevity, and healthy competition.

[@BeatPoet67]

Just discovered this podcast. Watched Ole's one yesterday, and this one today. Tremendous. Great format, lots of depth and very insightful. And big thanks to Rio for being so open.

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

Thank you! More full episodes coming later this week

[@GastenSauzande]

@@HighPerformancePodcast I'll be waiting for this! Amazing podcast.

[@ridzuansufian3823]

Check out also the van persie's as well.. all good and insightfull contents not only in football but life in general.. well done guys. Hope this channel will continue to grow and keep up the good work.

[@beany1987]

Same here excellent insight into who driven these guys are and who the sacrifice large parts of their lives to get to the very top!!.

[@bigbernie7260]

Being so open 🤣 Did he mention about the tart he was carrying on with for 9 years and that he tried to get an injection out to stop the Daily Mirror resorting it ? He then had the cheek to blame the woman for breaking up his marriage as if he had done nothing wrong. He then has the audacity to make a documentary about how sad he is after the death of his wife and the affect it had on him. His fake tears and heartbreak act could only work in this country were we have the most naive and gullible public in the world. The next minute he is married to one of those talentless, tangerine, tarts full of plastic surgery. I wonder what the so called ex - reality TV slag seen in millionaire Plug Ferdinand 🥱 Plug Ferdinand being open🤣 he is a bigger liar and phoney than the other nine - bob note Slur purple nose Ferguson.

[@omarsiddique9211]

Hearing successful people talk can really change your outlook on life

[@chrisscott7424]

We miss a Rio and Vidic partnership. Two of the very best.

[@markdavis8430]

As a lfc Fan a have to agree! One on the best partnership Period

[@philmccavity3854]

@@markdavis8430 congrats on the title win this year. Hopefully United can improve and close the gap on you next year 👍

[@muchiosgracias4]

None of you are from Manchester or Merseyside you little plastics. Embarrassing

[@chrisscott7424]

muchiosgracias4 Gracias

[@MALEXI10]

@@muchiosgracias4 Do you think all Wolves fans are from Wolverhampton?

[@dmad1680]

Such a player , super fast , great baller , leader . All he was missing was his lack of dominance in the air but he had Vidic which absolutely gelled...2 of them were unbelievable. Ferdinand/ Vidic.......Terry/Carvalihio. Adams / Campbell. My childhood. All unreal

[@AntEloftheHouseofEl]

Totally get exactly what Rio says about having the mindset to be the hardest worker. Talent isn't enough. I grew up with a lad, one of my best friends, who had so much natural talent it was unreal. Playing with him at 12, 13, 14, 15 was like watching a 25 year old Giggs. He was just head and shoulders better than anyone else within 5, 6 or even 7 years our age. He could just do anything on a ball. Beat any person, score from any angle, you name it. Calm, composed, rarely made a mistake, rarely lost the ball, rarely even misplaced a pass. But he had literally no work ethic at all. None. He wasn't willing to join a club and turn up to training. I remember I got him a trial at the club i was with at the time. The coaches absolutely loved him and thought he was special. Then he just never turned up again. I called him, i went to his house before training to get him - nothing. No desire whatsoever. Totally wasted all of that talent. 40 years old now, unemployed and still living at home!

[@mrkipling2201]

The thing he said about asking David Gill “ who are we buying??” 2 hours after winning the champions league is what winners in football do. When Liverpool were winning all those trophies in the 70’s and 80’s they did the same. When they won the league all the medals would go into a bag for the players to take and Ronnie Moran would say “ pre season training starts the 7th July “ or something similar. United did the same sort of thing. Celebrate for a couple of hours and then on to the next season. Reflecting is for when you retire.

[@realnesx]

Real talk

[@ozumsauce2605]

Liverpool genuinely look like the best team heading into next season but you see all the celebrations they are having and you can see they are not equipped with this mindset

[@kw2836]

Funny thing is Man Utd didnt buy anyone apart from Berbatov. They sold Ronaldo and Tevez. And bought in Bebe, Owen, Obertan and Valencia.

[@umaodihirin5879]

Ozumṣauce good point and it kind of goes back to the mentality of this generation of footballers today. There isn’t a lot of toughness in our younger players and they’re way to sensitive when it comes to criticism and just having a level of seriousness about the game..

[@melodieking9864]

@@ozumsauce2605 you were so right, we are witnessing this now with Liverpool and their decline this season

[@aleksamarkovic673]

As a young footballer trying to make it, this podcast is quite literally life changing. Hearing the insight these top class professionals have to share is really comforting and motivating. THANK YOU FOR THIS PODCAST!

[@pitcher6779]

As a fellow Markovic on a pro football pathway, I agree. Great insight.

[@AllThingsScrewLoose]

Am 54 minutes in and Rio has been asked about the difference in culture once you join man United, I think a great story which he hasn't mentioned as of yet is what Patrice said to RVP when he joined; welcome to a man's team. That simple statement summed up man United at the time

[@aiaempireframing8101]

Top man....... special guy!! His mother is watching over him with pride RIP.... good job mum!!

[@dajjalsystem3974]

These people most of them are freemasons and we know what kind they are

[@danneal599]

What a guy so honest and a all out winner genuinely think he's one of the best centre backs of all time

[@markdavis8430]

Been watching football for 27 years These are the best thing aways from Watching your team at the weekend! Listing to legends like Rio etc Young men and women need to watch these

[@StretfordEndRussia]

So much respect to you, Rio! The mess our club was back in the days is a disgrace. Fair play to podcast creators for doing this , it’s a golden content about life and strength and how to cope with such pressure. Loads of respect to you🔴⚪️⚫️

[@craggfarm]

Rio Ferdinand - a gentleman and a legend... you hit the nail on the head when you spoke about setting targets and youngsters at school 1st place should be encouraged - you are an inspiration... Hard work delivers results no matter what your path in life.

[@arpitpanda390]

I come from a totally different field (science/medicine), but it's incredible how transferrable some of the insights discussed here are to almost any field. The same underlying principles drive success in disparate fields. I also remember watching the RVP interview and the segment about where he talked about giving back. I think that's exactly what this channel is doing (producing high quality content, and no ads/commercials/sales pitch). Kudos on practicing as you preach and keep up the good work!

[@Gman-we2gu]

I think Rio is such a powerful person the way he explains things - very motivational

[@alanchadwick2646]

Fantastic interview , Rio we all miss you at Utd .

[@OfficialDamztv]

One of the best interviews I’ve seen in a while. Good job

[@dannyblue7065]

Rio Ferdinand's mentality is amazing and his banter is so good which is what makes him a great pundit. I would love to have him as an uncle, I think he would be class.

[@Kursh]

Absolutely brilliant! Pure quality content!

[@benkins97]

I could listen to these podcasts all day. Definitely subscribing to this channel and I really hope, as a united fan, that you get more united legends and more legends of the game in general. Definitsly going to share this channel as much as I can!

[@amits3330]

Thanks for all this podcasts. A huge prospect. Deep, penetrating questions, intimate talks like ive never knew before. what a huge project that is, thank you!

[@reddevil2062]

Love you rio. Thank you for your service at the club. One of the best defenders iv ever seen at this club. It was a pleasure watching u represent us for so many years! I really loved this episode.

[@shezaadkarim9123]

This interview was superb. Rio had a fantastic career and I hope young players can learn from what he says

[@jhewitthunt]

Absolutely superb interview. So good in fact, I don't really want to call it an interview. It was very relaxed and you could see Rio was being very real and honest. Top job!

[@digger5029]

Class in a Glass.😎 Thank you Rio .You are such an inspiration. . Bless 👍

[@stewartcampbell4264]

Hope you reading this Rio. You the best cb in Utd history in my eye legend thank you for making my time as a Utd fan great

[@jamiesimms7084]

I like him but he's not the best in my eyes

[@jackcarro09]

Ronnie Pickering disagrees

[@snowy1584]

Brilliant interview by the lads and Rio great insight to how a champion played the game. He was a great defender and now you know why!

[@MrTansenhabib]

Another fantastic interview from the High Performance Podcast. This one surprised me... Never realized how driven Rio Ferdinand really was becuase the game seemed to come easily for him. Effortless elegance on the pitch.. Didn't look like he was trying to hard but that masked all the hard work, Dedication and sacrifice he put behind the scenes.

[@cheshirered9204]

Very interesting insight into what makes a winner. Rio had a fantastic career and from hearing his views and motivations you can see why. These extended podcasts are great because they afford you the time to get into details, which a normal short interview wouldn't allow. Thanks to all concerned.

[@euanmontgomery5758]

fantastic watch and listen

[@winssg8059]

Inspirational....brilliant interview!

[@almoses7915]

One of the best podcasts I have ever listened to 👏🏼 Had me glued from the first to the last minute INSIGHTFUL AND GREAT DETAILED QUESTIONS 👏🏼

[@gkmutd6510]

Wow, this is just amazing!!

[@richardjuukovsky141]

Wow!! Fantastic interview. So educational and inspiring.

[@someenchilada]

Rio is so honest here, great to see. Wore his heart on his sleeve as a player, and this is why he’s still my favourite defender.

[@rauoool80s23]

Yeah a very continental style defender he was during his prime.

[@lukassmith9172]

Fantastic talk! Very interesting and insightful from the very first to the last minute! Thank you! 👍🏻

[@jamespotter3660]

really great interview. Rio is a legend

[@gilesingleson5816]

This is one of the best interviews I have watched. God Bless You Rio.

[@07Leebo]

Superb lads... great insight!

[@sagan666]

Really enjoyed that. Thanks.

[@andyhitchings8826]

Great podcast episode!

[@redkem80]

What a brilliant interview!

[@sumitmitra1858]

Best British defender of all time. He could play in any era.

[@drkraw]

calm down

[@todgerous]

Maybe not the best but right up there

[@nickcockayne7880]

Bobby Moore?

[@rabmccudden683]

What a pro & what a bloke. Still missed at the club now. Come back more often Rio & help with training the defence to have that winners mentality.

[@rand84]

Great podcast. Looking forward to future guests.

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

Thanks for listening

[@stephenpilling79]

Amazing interview. Just found this channel. I am looking forward to listening to more interviews. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

Welcome aboard!

[@riddley39]

@19:35 I felt that. Was impressed.Now a fan. That whole part he spoke about the man dem and now being a man you can speak openly! That’s real shit when you get over 30 35 the convo of life is deep. Imagine your guy making it this big regardless of if you don’t speak no more, then reconnecting years later and reminiscing n breaking shit down. Love that!👊

[@manuelmorris4692]

Enjoyed and got inspired by this conversation much more that I thought I'd be.

[@gjbell3127]

Thanks for your honesty in this Rio. Much enjoyed. Would love to see you in management. Brentford would suit 🙏

[@edglass8143]

Can listen to Rio anytime, tremendous dignity.

[@arnoldchisewe799]

Amazing interview

[@coachanton9287]

Rio, my role model when I played back in 2000. Great advice, Apply yourself and set targets! As a Sports Mental Coach and Rio admirer, I really love how he kept referring to his mental state as a pro player and how that played such a big role to his success.

[@glpify]

Class interview

[@AndyTheESLGuy]

Absolutely loved this! Great hearing Rio being completely open and honest about everything.

[@harryjones84]

This is SUCH A GOOD INTERVIEW. Obv Rio really is truly amazing as a person and footballer and should have even more press than he does because both the natural AND intentional role model and example he is BUT this is sooo good. You need not have any knowledge or even interest in football at all for this to tell teach you really quite valuable and deep life lessons. And im only 45 mins in it hasnt even n may not even touch other things Rio has done and said (outside of competition and football) that have massively changed people's lives, changed way we converse about certain things and way we look at so many other important subjects like mental health, masculinity, unconscious bias, parenthood. Honestly Rio keep up everythhing you do you obv been an inspiration and hero of mine since United days but TBH man i cant explain what I hero you are in life and how much credit you deserve. IF, and im not sure, politics in this country is not a con and thibgs can actually u change for the better then you should consider going into it but if not just please keep being you man

[@asksocial7281]

Absolutely love this podcast

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

Thanks for listening! New ep up in the morning with Dylan Hartley.

[@ngeneedgarofficial]

Very Very Insightful, Two episodes down

[@dylangallagher143]

I didnt think this was gonna be good from the opening monologue. (It felt a bit stiff) but the conversation flowed excellently as soon as it began. Really enjoyed this, cracking job from the interviewers/hosts.

[@halpohalpo1700]

Honest interview great intelligent footballer an what a career an player 👍🏻

[@mankydave67]

Love Rio´s beast mentality!! Great player. Disgraceful the manner in which United and Woodward released Rio. United have repeated the same antics recently with De Gea.

[@steliosp1770]

Brilliant pod. Watched this one and the Ope one. Gonna get to the Poch one soon. Looking forward to the next. Get Sir Alex on and the pod will blow up (i know harder said than done but seeing him in the manager of the year announcement he seems great and I m sure he d love a chat).

[@joshgalloway4403]

Roy Keane in the right environment would be insightful.

[@michaelfaulkner9621]

Rio is one of the verrrrry best man utd players ever, absolute legend.

[@Kingkhangp]

Really enjoyed this podcast

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

Thanks for listening! More to come

[@andrewpearson8216]

Great interview.

[@peterabnormal327]

Love to meet Rio.. straight forward guy!!!

[@jasmineblack9778]

Great show.Love those guys on BT Sport

[@sillwuka]

I love Rio's determination. Hero

[@lewisstokes4749]

Great video!

[@timmanc]

Absolutely superb.

[@stetomlinson3146]

These are really interesting to watch/listen to. The mental strength comes out in lots of "industries". It would be interesting to see special forces soldiers interviewed, not the shoot em up side of the job, but their motivations and mental strengths. Top politicians and business people would also be interesting. Excellent videos, thank you.

[@joshgalloway4403]

He’s a phenomenal bloke.

[@saxoncelt9823]

Inspirational for people of all ages. Pure and simple.

[@DopamineMVWM]

One naturally assumes the difference in success between the top and the bottom of the league is talent, but this great interview has demonstrated that the difference is mentality and work ethic; a great lesson for life. I feel truly inspired and motivated

[@Onlinesully]

You got that right. Though there are some players who lived on talent. but not near as many. People like George best and maradonna.

[@DubaiRunner-hi1xb]

Fantastic content

[@tomhutchinson137]

Absolute legend Rio, I idolised him as a Kid! So nice to relive some of my old emotions as a youngster listening to Rio now

[@keithskelton5596]

A great mentor for the younger generation A true LEGEND ✌🏼🌈

[@c3920]

LFC fan, but Rio is great. Love his commentary.

[@rogermoore3991]

2 hours after winning CL; David Gill, who we getting?? Hahaha such a mad lad Rio. Always loved his passion and winning mentality ❤️

[@joebloggs416]

Pity he wasn’t so switched on when it came to doing his sample for drug testing

[@rogermoore3991]

Do you think he sniffed cocaine?

[@PlaySports_Unboxed]

Great video with good advice 👍

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

Glad you liked it!

[@MyNameIsKhan25]

Top top lad. Great personality great player.

[@gergez65]

Just watched this knew the man was strong for man utd his honesty is refreshing.. And as a fan of football you played above and beyond for my team. M. U. F. C.. Thank you

[@tramlad2]

Rio is one of my all time favourite United players, great player, and a lovely human being, he would be worth £200 million today, a Rolls Royce of a centre back, class just class.

[@elshaddaiamdemariam2752]

This is amazing

[@stemster972]

Just created a new playlist, how to be a winner ,cheers Rio

[@gurbinderjhita4580]

Absolutely superb point by Rio at 33min. People look to blame other people for their problems. NO ownership today.

[@manwiththeplan4130]

Rated Rio from a long time

[@olawalefari804]

Love, love love this man

[@lilbun444]

Brooooo just listen to the elite mentality Rio displays throughout this, just an overarching hunger to be the best and be better than whoever came before, to win everything.

[@worthalook4870]

Superb CB. Him and Vidic together were the perfect partnership.

[@PullThatUpJamie]

find it fascinating that the fergie teams won major trophies and just didn’t bother about them. no wonder he’s the best manager in the history of football

[@jhardworkpaysoff474]

Rio rio rio 💯💯

[@Grindszn2.0]

Rio should be brought in as a academy couch so he can teach the youngsters abou the culture we need more in our club.

[@rosscowan3612]

These are absolutely brilliant. I currently coach an under 16 side and something we push massively is growth mindset... we let players self lead games, we have a strictly no coaching rule from the sidelines. This is my favourite tho, if one of our players is booked for descent they must buy and handout biscuits to the parents at the next game. Letting kids problem solve is huge, we are just here for a bit guidance. Loving the chats 👍👍

[@robbiewizz658]

What about if they don’t have the answers. They don’t know what they don’t know. Do you teach them then through guided discovery, command etc

[@rosscowan3612]

Robbie Wizz Ive had them since 7 v 7 so I’m very confident in their abilities to self lead, each season we have a a presentation to what we expect from them as players, along with roles and responsibilities as a player with them helping out balls away, move goals cones etc also more importantly what they can expect from us as coaches! Imo the sooner we get rid of the culture of screamers first coaches the better the game will be!

[@anthonycarter7783]

So you just babysit then

[@rosscowan3612]

Anthony Carter far from it, we offer an education. No remote controls in our sessions! If you find giving players the freedom to learn from mistakes babysitting you’ve got coaching all wrong!!!

[@robbiewizz658]

Sounds great. Absolutely agree with getting rid of the screaming and shouting coaches. I do the same as far as equipment and goals. Football wise I Have a framework we play to use question and answer , guided discovery and command if they still don’t get it .

[@tayamorris4758]

Just brilliant I wish the player at utd had your drive

[@bunkerboy-hf4xh]

Very on the ball and upfront. Rio has a certain way of speaking that you like listening. Everything is very important. Dog eat dog. Too truthful.